FIA be fully empowered to probe Asghar Khan case: PTI

Imran warns of political wrangling between PPP and PML-N if issue is left unresolved.

LAHORE:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Saturday warned against delaying the investigations and subsequent judgment on the Asghar Khan case, adding that such a move would promote political wrangling between the PPP and PML-N.

Transparent and fair investigations should be ensured so that the PPP and PML-N do not indulge in “Noora Kushti” and “dirty politics” to cover up corruption charges against their respective parties, Imran told a news conference at the party’s media centre.

Accompanied by the party’s senior leadership, the PTI chief said the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) should be fully empowered to conduct an impartial inquiry. Only then can the politicians guilty of receiving cash handouts from intelligence agencies during the run-up to the 1990 elections be brought to justice, he added.

Imran also stressed on the need to recover public funds that were spent to influence election results.

Intra-party polls

The PTI chief categorically rejected reports about the party delaying intra-party elections due to internal conflicts.

Citing technical reasons, he said it was difficult to prepare error-free electoral lists because of limited resources. He said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) achieved the same after spending billions of rupees.

He, however, promised party workers that elections to appoint office-bearers would be held before the upcoming parliamentary polls.

He added the youth would be encouraged to participate in the intra-party elections, while no one would be able to “buy” votes.

Imran said those who had quit the party had done so of their accord. “They are welcome to return, but only after agreeing to follow the party’s rules.”

Detained at airport

Replying to a question regarding his brief detention at the Toronto airport, Imran said they asked him why he was such a strong advocate of stopping drone strikes. He added American authorities were scared of him arranging protest rallies in the country.

He lamented neither the president nor the prime minister issued statements condemning his detention, adding that had such an incident occurred in Pakistan, the US would have actively defended its public figures.

He cited the example of Raymond Davis’ arrest and the consequent backlash from US functionaries. He said his detention and interrogation did not only amount to disrespecting the head of a political party, but also the entire nation.

‘Basis of ideology’

Dispelling the impression that the PTI tsunami had died down, a confident Imran said his party would “sweep” the upcoming general elections.

He said his party would win on the basis of its ideology rather than on the strength of individual candidates. He added some elements were fanning hatred by giving the incorrect impression that his party had been taken over by feudal lords. Imran said all the political parties had united against the PTI, which they see as a threat to their popularity.

Hailing the Supreme Court’s ruling on Balochistan, Imran said he agreed that lack of good governance was the main problem.

PTI’s senior leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said his party would break the status quo. He reiterated Imran’s comments of attracting voters through the party’s ideology.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2012.